Pastoral Resident; 2 years; full-time Full Time

Overview:

Church of the Cross seeks a full time, salaried (with benefits available), two year pastoral resident. This position offers the opportunity to both serve and strengthen the mission of Church of the Cross and to gain valuable pastoral experience for a future in vocational church ministry. The primary focus of the residency is to lead and develop our youth ministry in partnership with current leaders and volunteers. Church of the Cross’s youth ministry has a strong history and culture developed over more than 15 years, and is in a great place to support a new leader who will build on the strong foundation of Biblical teaching, trusting relationships, and value for service. Along with pastoring our youth, the residency includes additional opportunities to serve in other areas of discipleship and outreach. The resident will serve as a member of the staff and will attend weekly pastoral staff meetings and periodically attend additional leadership gatherings (Vestry meetings, ministry leadership teams, diocesan events). In addition to the ministry component of the residency, approximately 20 hours a month will be dedicated to training via mentoring, discussion, and guided study. The resident will be directly supervised by the Executive Pastor, and will meet periodically with the Rector for coaching and encouragement. This position does not require ordination, but discernment of a calling to Holy Orders can be included as a part of the residency experience. The final six months of the residency will include opportunities for shared discernment and assistance in regard to next steps for the resident.

Requirements:

• Discerning a calling to vocational pastoral ministry with an interest in serving in an Anglican Church
• Completed or in-process graduate ministerial or theological degree
• Desire to serve, disciple, and equip youth
• Desire to grow in leadership and to develop other leaders
• Alignment with the mission, vision, values, and beliefs of Church of the Cross
• Complete our Safety Screening (including application, background check, interviews, references check) and Child/Youth Safety training

Youth Ministry Responsibilities:

• Teach and disciple youth—includes functioning as main teacher and planner for youth group; designing yearly youth curriculum; training youth in ministry skills; offering pastoral care to youth; planning and overseeing special events including youth retreats and youth worship service.
• Oversee part-time Associate Director of Youth Ministry and other youth leadership team members—including coaching, training, scheduling, and recruiting adult leaders to serve our youth ministry. Resident will work collaboratively with youth leadership team in developing our youth ministry and in responding to specific needs and opportunities as they arise.
• Partner with Executive Pastor in overseeing and running our youth confirmation process (beginning in Fall 2026). This will include teaching, scheduling and facilitating.
• Administration—includes overseeing budget and logistics.
• Ministry to parents of youth—includes communicating youth group teachings and news, offering pastoral counsel, and offering opportunities for parental involvement.

Other Responsibilities:

Other residency ministry responsibilities will be determined based on seasonal needs of the church, the gifting and interests of the resident, and the goal to give the resident broad experience of church ministry. Opportunities will be given to assist in outreach to our neighbors, ministry to our young adults, and connecting with guests and new attendees.

Skills Training:

Our goal is that at the end of two years, the following skills will have been developed and strengthened in the resident:

• Teaching and preaching
• Curriculum design
• Pastoral care
• Administration
• Developing strategy
• Developing leaders
• Anglican theology and practice

About Church of the Cross:

Church of the Cross is a 21 year old parish in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest (a member of the Anglican Church of North America). We have a current ASA of 275. We offer a number of different ministry opportunities for children, youth, men, women and families. A wide variety of ages and life stages are represented by the members of our congregation. We have planted three daughter churches, so far, and are committed to ongoing leadership development and the expansion and catalyzation of new ministries in our community and the greater Midwest.

To learn about Church of the Cross, please visit our website: www.ofthecross.org, especially our beliefs and values page: https://www.ofthecross.org/beliefs-values

To apply:

Please email our Executive Pastor, Peter Berg ([email protected], subject line “Responding to Pastoral Residency”) with your cover letter and resume.